Raymond Lewis Dake, age 94, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away surrounded by his family at Jefferson County Health Center, in Fairfield, on Sunday, March 6, 2022.
Raymond was born at home December 16, 1927, to John D. and Pauline P. Dake in Benton County, Iowa. He was the eldest of six other siblings.
Raymond took pride in his heritage of growing up as an Iowa farm boy. He drove a car with his siblings and neighbors to earn his high school degree. An Army recruiter came during his senior year. Raymond and two others enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve at the conclusion of WWII & Korean War. He celebrated his 18th birthday on the shores of Korea and served until 1947.
Raymond returned to the Iowa family farm where he fell in love with the neighbor's lovely daughter, Rosemary Irene Long who rode the tractor with her father. They married on August 27, 1950, in Walker, Iowa.
This began a dairy farming career continuing for 18 years. Rosemary and Raymond raised four children, all while Raymond during some periods at night also worked at places such as Collins Radio (Rockwell) and Quaker Oats. Additionally, he served his church such as Sunday School Superintendent at Spring Grove Methodist and then Coggon United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the family transitioned from the farm to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Raymond then began a second career that would last 24 years as a soil conservation technician in Marion, Ottumwa, and Fairfield, Iowa communities. Raymond was instrumental in construction of Lake Sugema in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Raymond and Rosemary retired in Fairfield, Iowa in 1994.
His devotion to others and years of volunteer activities earned him the Thousand Points of Light Award.
Raymond was an active member of the local Fairfield Chapter of the Lion's Club International with roles such as secretary, chaplain, Tail Twister (always with a ready joke); unabashedly donning a Lions costume with ice packs in his belt when the occasion arose. He also was active in his church, including The United Methodist Men's, head of trustees, administrative roles, and singing in the Chancel Choir.
In October 2014, Raymond and his son, Brian, participated in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
Raymond earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lion's organization in 2020.
Raymond gifted his family with wood crafting pieces and framed puzzles. His toy tractor collection impressed generations of visitors. He credited his vast accomplishments to the love of his life, Rosemary, and his faith.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Carolyn (Bartemeyer) and husband Randy; son, Kim Dake and his wife Penny; son, Brian Dake and his wife Cheryl; and son, Bruce Dake and his wife Susan; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Sparks, Delbert Dake and Nancy Pasker.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lou Bell and Dorothy Virginia Dake Locke (memorial 182295392).
Raymond was born at home December 16, 1927, to John D. and Pauline P. Dake in Benton County, Iowa. He was the eldest of six other siblings.
Raymond took pride in his heritage of growing up as an Iowa farm boy. He drove a car with his siblings and neighbors to earn his high school degree. An Army recruiter came during his senior year. Raymond and two others enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve at the conclusion of WWII & Korean War. He celebrated his 18th birthday on the shores of Korea and served until 1947.
Raymond returned to the Iowa family farm where he fell in love with the neighbor's lovely daughter, Rosemary Irene Long who rode the tractor with her father. They married on August 27, 1950, in Walker, Iowa.
This began a dairy farming career continuing for 18 years. Rosemary and Raymond raised four children, all while Raymond during some periods at night also worked at places such as Collins Radio (Rockwell) and Quaker Oats. Additionally, he served his church such as Sunday School Superintendent at Spring Grove Methodist and then Coggon United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the family transitioned from the farm to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Raymond then began a second career that would last 24 years as a soil conservation technician in Marion, Ottumwa, and Fairfield, Iowa communities. Raymond was instrumental in construction of Lake Sugema in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Raymond and Rosemary retired in Fairfield, Iowa in 1994.
His devotion to others and years of volunteer activities earned him the Thousand Points of Light Award.
Raymond was an active member of the local Fairfield Chapter of the Lion's Club International with roles such as secretary, chaplain, Tail Twister (always with a ready joke); unabashedly donning a Lions costume with ice packs in his belt when the occasion arose. He also was active in his church, including The United Methodist Men's, head of trustees, administrative roles, and singing in the Chancel Choir.
In October 2014, Raymond and his son, Brian, participated in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
Raymond earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lion's organization in 2020.
Raymond gifted his family with wood crafting pieces and framed puzzles. His toy tractor collection impressed generations of visitors. He credited his vast accomplishments to the love of his life, Rosemary, and his faith.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Carolyn (Bartemeyer) and husband Randy; son, Kim Dake and his wife Penny; son, Brian Dake and his wife Cheryl; and son, Bruce Dake and his wife Susan; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Sparks, Delbert Dake and Nancy Pasker.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lou Bell and Dorothy Virginia Dake Locke (memorial 182295392).
Raymond Lewis Dake, age 94, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away surrounded by his family at Jefferson County Health Center, in Fairfield, on Sunday, March 6, 2022.
Raymond was born at home December 16, 1927, to John D. and Pauline P. Dake in Benton County, Iowa. He was the eldest of six other siblings.
Raymond took pride in his heritage of growing up as an Iowa farm boy. He drove a car with his siblings and neighbors to earn his high school degree. An Army recruiter came during his senior year. Raymond and two others enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve at the conclusion of WWII & Korean War. He celebrated his 18th birthday on the shores of Korea and served until 1947.
Raymond returned to the Iowa family farm where he fell in love with the neighbor's lovely daughter, Rosemary Irene Long who rode the tractor with her father. They married on August 27, 1950, in Walker, Iowa.
This began a dairy farming career continuing for 18 years. Rosemary and Raymond raised four children, all while Raymond during some periods at night also worked at places such as Collins Radio (Rockwell) and Quaker Oats. Additionally, he served his church such as Sunday School Superintendent at Spring Grove Methodist and then Coggon United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the family transitioned from the farm to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Raymond then began a second career that would last 24 years as a soil conservation technician in Marion, Ottumwa, and Fairfield, Iowa communities. Raymond was instrumental in construction of Lake Sugema in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Raymond and Rosemary retired in Fairfield, Iowa in 1994.
His devotion to others and years of volunteer activities earned him the Thousand Points of Light Award.
Raymond was an active member of the local Fairfield Chapter of the Lion's Club International with roles such as secretary, chaplain, Tail Twister (always with a ready joke); unabashedly donning a Lions costume with ice packs in his belt when the occasion arose. He also was active in his church, including The United Methodist Men's, head of trustees, administrative roles, and singing in the Chancel Choir.
In October 2014, Raymond and his son, Brian, participated in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
Raymond earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lion's organization in 2020.
Raymond gifted his family with wood crafting pieces and framed puzzles. His toy tractor collection impressed generations of visitors. He credited his vast accomplishments to the love of his life, Rosemary, and his faith.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Carolyn (Bartemeyer) and husband Randy; son, Kim Dake and his wife Penny; son, Brian Dake and his wife Cheryl; and son, Bruce Dake and his wife Susan; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Sparks, Delbert Dake and Nancy Pasker.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lou Bell and Dorothy Virginia Dake Locke (memorial 182295392).
Raymond was born at home December 16, 1927, to John D. and Pauline P. Dake in Benton County, Iowa. He was the eldest of six other siblings.
Raymond took pride in his heritage of growing up as an Iowa farm boy. He drove a car with his siblings and neighbors to earn his high school degree. An Army recruiter came during his senior year. Raymond and two others enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve at the conclusion of WWII & Korean War. He celebrated his 18th birthday on the shores of Korea and served until 1947.
Raymond returned to the Iowa family farm where he fell in love with the neighbor's lovely daughter, Rosemary Irene Long who rode the tractor with her father. They married on August 27, 1950, in Walker, Iowa.
This began a dairy farming career continuing for 18 years. Rosemary and Raymond raised four children, all while Raymond during some periods at night also worked at places such as Collins Radio (Rockwell) and Quaker Oats. Additionally, he served his church such as Sunday School Superintendent at Spring Grove Methodist and then Coggon United Methodist Church.
In 1971 the family transitioned from the farm to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Raymond then began a second career that would last 24 years as a soil conservation technician in Marion, Ottumwa, and Fairfield, Iowa communities. Raymond was instrumental in construction of Lake Sugema in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Raymond and Rosemary retired in Fairfield, Iowa in 1994.
His devotion to others and years of volunteer activities earned him the Thousand Points of Light Award.
Raymond was an active member of the local Fairfield Chapter of the Lion's Club International with roles such as secretary, chaplain, Tail Twister (always with a ready joke); unabashedly donning a Lions costume with ice packs in his belt when the occasion arose. He also was active in his church, including The United Methodist Men's, head of trustees, administrative roles, and singing in the Chancel Choir.
In October 2014, Raymond and his son, Brian, participated in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
Raymond earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lion's organization in 2020.
Raymond gifted his family with wood crafting pieces and framed puzzles. His toy tractor collection impressed generations of visitors. He credited his vast accomplishments to the love of his life, Rosemary, and his faith.
Survivors include his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Carolyn (Bartemeyer) and husband Randy; son, Kim Dake and his wife Penny; son, Brian Dake and his wife Cheryl; and son, Bruce Dake and his wife Susan; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and siblings, Lois Sparks, Delbert Dake and Nancy Pasker.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Lou Bell and Dorothy Virginia Dake Locke (memorial 182295392).
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